WENATCHEE — Five U.S. veterans will pedal their way through the Wenatchee Valley Friday and Saturday on their way across America to raise awareness about the needs of other returning veterans.

The five began their 90-day, 4,000-mile bicycle ride across the nation at Ocean Shores on Monday. They plan to reach Washington, D.C. in mid September. The riders, along with a film crew documenting their ride, are scheduled to ride along Highway 2 to Wenatchee. Local riders from Leavenworth and Wenatchee will escort the veterans from the top of Stevens Pass through Tumwater Canyon with stops in Leavenworth and Cashmere and arriving at 5 p.m for a welcoming party at the Wenatchee Veteran’s Hall, 504 S. Chelan Ave.

The Long Road Home Project was created to help veterans with transitions returning home. Since 2001, more than 50,000 veterans have been wounded and as many as 270,000 veterans may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder related to their military service.